BIOS Recovery USB - Unable to find correct one

[Squirrel404]

Hi all.

My sons PC just stopped working after a Microsoft update and is now stuck in a restart loop. It shows an HP screen that says 'The System BIOS update failed. Unable to open BIOS image file.'

I have tried to follow all the steps online - removing power before holding Windows Key and B (It throws out the message below

'The BIOS recovery files cannot be found or the files are corrupted. Using another computer and a USB flash drive, download the latest BIOS file from the HP website and create a BIOS USB recovery drive for the PC that needs recovery. Insert the BIOS USB recovery drive into the PC that needs recovery and restart the PC'.

, CMOS restart/refresh, various boot USB options. But nothing works.

I have tried to create a BIOS recovery USB for my PC model (HP Desktop PC M01-F1055na), but I download the file from HP, install to my laptop and then attempt to run. It shows the first screen advising what the application can do, but then throws out an error on the next screen stating the ROM is not in this utility.

[Pallipurath]

Hi @Squirrel404 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query.

The error "ROM is not in this utility" occurs because running the downloaded HP installer on your laptop attempts by default to update or inspect the laptop's system BIOS rather than the target desktop PC. To bypass this, you need to use the installer specifically to build a recovery flash drive.

Create the BIOS Recovery USB Drive (on your laptop)

1. Insert a blank USB flash drive into an available port on your working laptop. (Do not use a USB Type-C drive on Intel systems due to recovery limitations).
2. Download the BIOS installer: Go to the HP Driver Downloads page and search using your exact desktop model: HP Desktop PC M01-F1055na. Expand the BIOS section and download the recommended file.
3. Run the downloaded .exe file:
   • Complete the wizard until you reach the HP BIOS Update and Recovery window.
   • Crucial Step: Select Create Recovery USB flash drive (do NOT select Update).
4. Select your USB drive: Choose your flash drive letter from the list and click Next.
5. Finish: Wait for the BIOS binary files to copy over until you see The recovery flash drive was created successfully, then click Finish and remove the USB drive.

Restore the BIOS (on the stuck HP Desktop PC)

1. Turn off the desktop PC completely and wait 5 to 10 seconds.
2. Plug the USB recovery flash drive into an available USB port on the desktop.
3. Trigger BIOS Recovery:
   • Press and hold the Windows key + B. (If Windows + B does not respond, try Windows key + V instead).
   • While holding those keys, press and hold the Power button for 2 to 3 seconds, then release only the power button.
   • Continue holding the Windows + B (or Windows + V) keys until the HP BIOS Update screen appears or you hear beeps.
4. Complete Recovery: The screen will display the recovery progress and restore the BIOS automatically. Follow any on-screen prompts to restart into Windows.

Reset CMOS (If the screen remains blank)

If the USB recovery process does not start automatically:

1. Turn off the PC and disconnect the power cord.
2. Press and hold the Power button for 15 to 25 seconds to drain remaining power and reset the CMOS settings.
3. Reconnect power and repeat Step 2 with the USB drive inserted.

If you run into any issues during the USB creation wizard or key press combination, let me know where it gets stuck!

Click here for detailed information.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[Squirrel404]

Hi Pallipurath

I have followed all the steps below for creating a BIOS Recovery USB, but after step 3 is where the issue arises and I get the message 'ROM is not in this utility' - it tells me what options I WILL be presented with, but does not offer those options to click on after. just the message.

I tried to work with CoPilot to assist, and it advised the BIOS recovery program offered by HP (v.48) was too new for my model and we needed version v.21. Later and from comments I read online, I noted people saying that HP did not provide a BIOS recovery tool for this model.

Any suggestions? 

[Pallipurath]

Hi @Squirrel404 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query.

The issue being reported is not currently a hardware identification problem, but rather a BIOS recovery media creation problem. Based on the information provided, the BIOS package downloaded from HP for the listed model is failing during the recovery USB creation process. The error message, "ROM is not in this utility," is occurring on the working computer before any recovery attempt is made on the affected desktop.

To help determine whether there is a mismatch between the retail model designation and the actual system board revision, could you please provide the following details?

• Product Number (P/N) of the HP Desktop PC
• Motherboard/System Board ID (if available)

This information will help verify that the correct BIOS package is being used and rule out any incompatibility between the system model and the BIOS recovery files

Take care and have an amazing day!

[Squirrel404]

Hi again

I have looked for the information you requested and believe the below is correct:

• Product Number (P/N) - 465T2EA#ABU
• Motherboard/System Board ID - ID19 ERICA3_ERICA5

If either of these are not what you are asking for, I apologise. There are a number of stickers inside and outside the PC with various serial numbers and IDs. Please see photos below.

Thanks

Paul

Paul

[Pallipurath]

Hi @Squirrel404 

Thank you for responding.

Thank you for providing the product number (465T2EA#ABU) and motherboard ID (ID19 ERICA3_ERICA5), along with the additional details.

We understand that your HP Desktop PC M01-F1055na is stuck in a restart loop and displays the error “The System BIOS update failed. Unable to open BIOS image file.” We also appreciate the efforts you have made to recover the BIOS using the Windows + B key combination, reset the CMOS, and create a BIOS recovery USB.

Since the recovery attempts have been unsuccessful with BIOS ROM family for your system board, we recommend contacting an authorized HP service centre for further diagnosis. The service team can verify the motherboard configuration and determine the appropriate BIOS recovery procedure. https://support.hp.com/in-en/help/service-center

Have a good day